After reading an article about what items most American’s always have in their kitchens, I got to thinking about what items should always be readily available in our medicine cabinets.
In researching this thought, I did a mental check of what’s in mine. And sadly, I’m missing half of what’s on the top 10 list.
1. Thermometer – you should always have one on hand to check how high a fever is, and whether it warrants medical attention. But beware – mercury thermometers are extremely dangerous if they become broken and leak. Mercury poisoning can affect the nervous system, damaging the brain, liver, spinal cord and kidneys. If you’ve still got one, contact the St. Louis County Government website for Recycling and Solid Waste to see what collection events are coming up.
2. Calibrated measuring spoon – these are great for liquid medicines that don’t come with a measuring cup. Taking the correct amount of medicine can make all the difference when it comes to overcoming an illness.
3. Dental floss – brushing only tackles 60% of the bacteria in your mouth, and that leftover bacteria can cause gingivitis, an infection in your gums. Gingivitis has been shown to lead to a heart attack or stroke, so make it a habit to floss at least after every meal.
4. Fungal medicine - Fungal infections can affect the nails, groin, skin, mouth and sinuses. And this may sound strange, but athletes foot can easily be spread to other parts of the body, just by using the same towel. These infections are difficult to treat, so be mindful of how you dry off and be diligent about taking your medicine!
5. Sterile gauze & medical tape – I’ve had some nasty cuts in my time that a normal size bandage didn’t quite cover, and dressing a wound properly can make all the difference when it comes to healing.
6. Tweezers – this is your best offense when it comes to splinters and ticks. This handy tool can get to places that even the longest nails cannot access, and can help to prevent future pain and infection.
7. Muscle cream or heating pad – if you’re anything like me, a sore back can happen with a simple twist, and taking care of that inflammation immediately is imperative to getting back on your feet.
8. Antiseptic – while soap and water will do in a pinch, antiseptic is your best line of defense against infection when it comes to cuts and scrapes. Back in my days, mercurochrome was often used, and you could spot this orange remedy on many a skinned knee and elbow. However, the FDA labeled it unsafe back in the 1970′s due to it containing mercury (see #1). Two common antiseptics nowadays are isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.
9. Nail clippers – having these around can help keep your mitts safe from hangnails (which can lead to infections), and your nails trimmed back so that you aren’t a danger to anyone else.
10. Adhesive bandages – I’ll bet you were wondering when this was going to make the list. We mentioned earlier on the list about dressing wounds properly – this includes those smaller ones that can also run the risk of infection.
So take some time to peruse through your medicine cabinet today, and add the items your missing to your shopping list.
Posted by Admin 
